1 36 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



well intermixed with the lean. The South Downs are of medium 

 size, (although Mr. Webb in some cases attained a live weight in 

 breeding rams of 250 pounds, and a dressed weight of 200 pounds 

 in fattened wethers,) hardy, prolific, and easily kept, suceeding on 

 short pastures, although they pay well for liberal feeding. De- 

 scendents from the flocks of the Duke of Richmond, Mr. Webb 

 and other breeders have been introduced inio the State, though as 

 yet but sparingly.* 



The Oxford Dowxs may be named as an instance of successful 

 cross-breeding. They originated in a cross between the Improved 

 Cotswolds and the Hampshire Downs. f Having been pe'rpetuated 

 now for more than twenty years, they possess so good a degree of 

 uniformity as to be entitled to the designation of a distinct breed, and 

 have lately been formally recognized as such in England. They were 

 first introduced into Massachusetts by E,. S. Fay, Esq., of Lynn, 

 and into Maine by Mr. Sears, who has a flock of fifty or upwards 

 on Brigadier's Island near Searsport. They were first bred with a 

 view to unite increased size with the superiority of flesh and 

 patience of short keep which characterize the Downs. It is under- 

 stood that they inherit from the Cotswold a carcass exceeding in 

 weight that of the Downs from a fifth to a quarter ; a fleece some- 

 what coarser but heavier than that of the Downs by one-third to 

 one-half; and from the latter they inherit rotundity of form and 

 fullness of muscle in the more valuable parts, together with the 

 brown face and leg. 



In reply to a note of inquiry addressed to Mr, Fay, he says : " I 

 selected the Oxford Downs with some hesitation as between them 

 and the Shropshire Downs, after a careful examination of all the 

 various breeds of sheep in England. My attention was called to 

 them by observing that they took, (1854,) without any distinct 

 name, all the prizes as mutton sheep at Birmingham and elsewhere, 

 where they were admitted to compete. They were only known 

 under the name of lialf or cross bred sheep, with name of the 

 breeder. Mr. Rives of Virginia and I went into Oxfordsliire to 

 look at llicm, and so little were they known as a class, that Philip 

 Pusey, Esq., President of the Royal Agricultural Society, knew 

 nothing about them, although one of his largest tenants, Mr. Druce, 



* Messrs. Anderson of South Windham, and Perley of Naples, in Cumberland 

 county, have introduced flocks of pure sheep of this breed during the past autumn. 



t The Ilampshires arc somewhat larger than the South Downs, and quite as 

 hardy — tlie fleece a trifle shorter. 



